SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Rockies selected Ian Stewart with the 10th pick in the 2003 June draft. And then, 25 rounds later, they got around to drafting Stewart’s high school teammate, Cole Garner.

Eight years later, Stewart is an established major leaguer. Garner? He’s still waiting for that magic moment when he can put on a big-league uniform.

At 26, Garner is approaching the crossroads of his pro career. Only four players on the Rockies’ 40-man roster were drafted before him, and all four — Todd Helton, Aaron Cook, Ryan Spilborghs and Stewart — have put in considerable service time in the big leagues.

Iannetta will start and hit fifth vs. Ted Lilly, in part because of his history with Lilly. Iannetta is 3-for-8 against him with a home run.

Rockies manager Jim Tracy said he planned to start Miguel Olivo, but Olivo has what Tracy termed whiplash-like symptoms after being inadvertently kicked in the head by Troy Tulowitzki in a bizarre play in Sunday’s game, in which Tulo and Olivo found themselves chasing a pop fly after Jason Giambi and Jonathan Herrera lost it in the sun.

Here are the lineups for tonight’s Rockies-Dodgers game at Coors Field, a game in which Ubaldo Jimenez will attempt to win his 20th game:

Great. Right when they need all hands on deck, the flu bug has invaded the Rockies’ clubhouse.

First, Melvin Mora has to come out of Friday’s game with a 102-degree temperature. Then Seth Smith received I.V. treatment for flu-like symptoms. And now Ian Stewart, who was going to give Mora a breather today, also is down with the flu.

With Stewart unavailable, Jim Tracy has opted to use Jonathan Herrera at third base. Herrera is in the two hole behind Eric Young, Jr. Here’s a look at the Rockies’ lineup for today’s game vs. the Giants at Coors Field:

PHOENIX — The Rockies can ill-afford a loss to the lowly Diamondbacks tonight.

Or tomorrow night. Or Thursday night.

You know the drill. It’s late September and every loss hurts worse than your latest 401(k) statement. The good news for the Rockies is that they have Jorge De La Rosa on the mound. De La Rosa has won four straight decisions, and the Rockies have won his last five starts.

Hits: Jason Giambi doesn’t have a high-maintenance swing. He looked regular-season ready after belting a two-run single off the right-field wall. He also walked with bases loaded for the second time this spring … Ubaldo Jimenez’s sinker was a bowling ball, inducing repeated groundballs, including a weak-hit doubleplay roller from Gerardo Parra. Of his 76 pitches, Jimenez said he threw 72 sinkers. … Franklin Morales and Manuel Corpas are easing some concerns about the bullpen as they pitched scoreless innings. … Eric Young Jr. made one the best defensive plays in camp, making a behind-the-back tag on Chris Young after the Diamondbacks’ outfielder drifted too far off first base after a single.

Misses: Arizona’s Kris Benson couldn’t help himself at the plate, striking out after three failed bunt attempts. … The 25-mph winds wreaked havoc on outfielders. Arizona’s Justin Upton couldn’t corral a crazy flyball, and Colorado’s Jay Payton raced toward the center-field wall and the ball fell about 70 feet from second base. … Arizona’s John Hester was the final batter at both Hi Corbett Field and Tucson Electric Park.

TUCSON — Mediocrity has a way of scrapping plans. Two weeks ago, manager Jim Tracy said he didn’t see a scenario where Greg Smith would be used as a reliever. That changed with the stream of uninspired outings by Justin Speier, Tim Redding and Juan Rincon.

“Smith is definitely a candidate,” Tracy said. “I didn’t see that as a possibility when I talked about it before. But nobody has stepped forward. And with our closer out, we need to be flexible. I said all along that we are going to take the best team available to us on opening day.”

Smith has allowed three runs in 18 innings as a starter. He threw four scoreless innings today. The reality is that the Rockies are leaning toward a lefty, which could mean Smith or Beimel? Why? Well, the Brewers’ best hitter is left-handed — Prince Fielder — and their entire bench is full of left-handers, including Jody Gerut, Craig Counsell and Jim Edmonds.

SURPRISE, Ariz. — How powerful is the Rockies’ lineup these days? They have a .545 hitter batting eighth vs. the Rangers.

Who needs the ’27 Yankees when you could have the ’10 Rockies?

Oh, all right, it’s spring training and the numbers in a matter of days will go poof, like LeBron James tossing powder in the air next to the Cavs’ bench. But you get the point. The Rox lead the National League with a .312 spring average.

Hits: After struggling with difficult chances early in spring, Ryan Spilborghs has been a human highlight defensively the last few weeks. He made a running stab of Austin Kearns’ screaming line drive down the right-field line, saving a run. … Melvin Mora has found his rhythm at the plate. He singled to the right-field wall and scored the Rockies’ first run. … Brad Hawpe did fine in his first major league action at first base, handing all the chances without any problems. … The Rockies have recorded 10 or more hits in eight straight games.

Misses: Outfielder Jay Payton enjoyed a good game offensively, but was picked off twice, once by the catcher on a throw back to first and once by the pitcher at first base. … Franklin Morales balked the go-ahead run into scoring position. Manager Jim Tracy argued the call. Morales then gave up an RBI single. … Randy Flores couldn’t strand the runner when brought in for relief behind Jeff Francis, allowing a sacrifice fly.

GOODYEAR — Don’t try it. Don’t think it. I am talking of course about speeding. I saw more cops between here and Phoenix than during a entire season of “T.J. Hooker.” The wind is blowing, so there could be a few crazy innings here at 77-degree Goodyear Ballpark. Brad Hawpe, after playing some innings in a minor league game, makes his debut at first base. That’s where he originally played in college and the minors. The lineups:

TUCSON — A month ago, outfielder Jay Payton and catcher Paul Lo Duca arrived in camp as insurance. That hasn’t changed, but they have turned heads with their solid play. Payton and Lo Duca both said they would be willing to go to Triple-A. They don’t have escape clauses in their contracts, so it’s basically accept the assignment or face retirement.

However, I firmly believe the Rockies would do right by them if another team expressed interest in a trade or waiver claim.

“I would go down to Colorado Springs. I think I have shown I can still play and that I can help somebody,” said Payton, who made a diving catch in center field earlier this week.

Payton could be an interesting piece for a team looking for reserve help. In years’ past, he would have been a perfect fit for the Rockies, but they have the deepest bench in baseball. Payton can play all three outfield spots, and profiles as a decent pinch-hitter against left-handers. Lo Duca has shown he can still catch after essentially sitting out last season. Problem is there haven’t been many opportunities in this camp as the Rockies are working in both Chris Iannetta and Miguel Olivo.

In Triple-A, Lo Duca would have to play some first base since there would be three catchers in Colorado Springs, with Lo Duca joining prospect Mike McKenry and solid veteran Paul Phillips.

Footnotes
Found out this out: Iannetta has been re-lacing gloves since he was 9. He was fixing infielder Chris Nelson’s glove this morning. … Aaron Cook played DJ this morning in the clubhouse, rocking upbeat pop hits. … Jeff Francis will face Cleveland’s Jake Westbrook Friday in Goodyear. … Today’s pitching against the Reds: Ubaldo Jimenez, Matt Belisle, Matt Daley, Juan Rincon, Justin Speier and Franklin Morales. … Closer Huston Street, out with shoulder inflammation, is scheduled to play catch tomorrow for the first time in 11 days. … The Kansas City Star is reporting that Scott Elarton has signed a minor-league deal with the White Sox. Elarton, a legend from Lamar High School, is one of the all-time good guys. I am pulling for him to make it back to the big leagues.

Hits: Chris Iannetta’s comfort level with his toe-tap stance continues to grow. He blasted his first home run of the spring off Kevin Correia, a laser over the left-field fence. The Rockies finished with three home runs, including shots by Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki. … Todd Helton made a nifty pickup at first base, snagging a one-hop shot in the fourth inning. … Center fielder Jay Payton made one of the best defensive plays of camp on a fully outstretched diving catch.

Misses: Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera has all the hardware, but is still installing software. Evidence came in the first inning when he Iannetta picked him off at first base following a failed sacrifice bunt. … Chris Gissell was shelled in relief of Jason Hammel, allowing three hits and two runs. Hammel allowed five runs in five innings on 80 pitches. … Catcher Paul Phillips committed a throwing error trying to nail Tony Gwynn Jr. stealing third base. … The temperature dropped nearly 20 degrees to 55 at the conclusion of the game with pouring rain.

TUCSON — Manager Jim Tracy was reluctant to discuss too many possibitilities to fill Huston Street’s absence since the nature of his shoulder injury won’t be known fully until Thursday or Friday. But he did concede that Rafael Betancourt will not work the ninth because he wants to keep him in the eighth inning.

“He was brought in here to be a setupman man. I don’t want to create even more of a domino effect,” Tracy said.

He identified Franklin Morales as the leading candidate to close, followed by Manuel Corpas. Another option who is quietly emerging is Matt Belisle. If Morales closes, the Rockies could begin exploring trade or waiver-wire possibilities for another left-hander. Tracy would prefer to have two lefties before the ninth, and only Randy Flores is set right now. Jimmy Gobble had performed well, but has been sidelined with a left groin injury.

Betancourt threw well in a 25-pitch live batting practice session today. He’s expected to pitch in a simulated game this weekend and make his Cactus League debut next week. Morales converted seven saves last September when Street was sidelined.

“I am ready for whatever they want me to do. I feel like I am doing better with my fastball,” said Morales, who is using a cutter for the first time this spring.

Footnote
Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez was scratched because of tightness in his quads following a weight-lifting session. He said he expects to play tomorrow. Jay Payton replaced him.

Hits: Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez continues hitting lasers. He’s hitting .348 after doubling and scoring in the third inning. He also lined out twice. … Troy Tulowitzki crushed his first home run, a moonshot to center field in the sixth inning. Tulowitzki has three extra-base hits this spring. … Jay Payton came to camp as insurance for the Rockies, but could attract an offer from another team. He played all three outfield positions Monday, and singled. … Jason Giambi one-hopped the right field-wall and made a diving stop at first base. … Jhoulys Chacin got the win, and Franklin Morales netted the save. cq

Misses: The Cubs’ bus broke down 80 miles from Tucson. It took the team longer to get to Tucson than the game lasted. … Jonathan Herrera suffered an injury sliding back into first base, but stayed in the game. … Jeff Francis improved dramatically, retiring the final seven hitters he faced. But he grooved a fastball to pitcher Carlos Zambrano that the Big Z smashed off the wall for a double.

TUCSON — Huston Street remains on track to break camp after a successful simulated game today. Throwing only fastballs to the likes of Todd Helton and Chris Nelson on backfield No. 5 at Hi Corbett, Street showed good velocity, but lacked command. He said he expects to make his Cactus League debut either Wednesday or Thursday.

“The shoulder is a non-issue. If I get off the bump eight or nine times, I will be fine. I have never felt I needed more than 10. After about five you start figuring it out,” Street said.

Street’s schedule is mapped out for five one-inning inning appearances, followed by a two-inning stint and back-to-back outings. He’s convinced he will be ready for opening day in Milwaukee. And he believes that top setupman Rafael Betancourt will be as well. Betancourt is scheduled to throw live BP Wednesday. He’s behind Street in his recovery, but as Street pointed out, Betancourt threw more in camp than Street did before getting shut down.

“I think he has time. I am counting on us both being ready,” Street said.

Francis, Corpas move forward
Jeff Francis’ line wasn’t perfect, but the finish was wildly encouraging for Rockies’ fans. He gave up four hits and two runs in two innings, but reitred the last seven hitters he faced. His fastball started at 85 miles per hour, but was touching 89 mph by his last inning. His command of the fastball and curveball improved throughout the game, and he had the changeup working the whole time, according to a scout at field level.

“I had better angle on my fastball. I really felt like those last two innings I could put the ball where I wanted to,” said Francis, who threw 47 pitches, 34 strikes.

Manuel Corpas threw a perfect inning, inducing three groundballs. He realizes that he needs to make this team, that nothing is guaranteed. In that sense, this was a positive step today. He didn’t have his trademark sink, but there was improvement.

Footnotes
Troy Tulowitzki hit his first home run of the spring, a towering two-run shot to center field in the sixth inning. … Jonathan Herrera stayed in the game despite suffering an injury sliding back into first base. … Jay Payton has played all three outfield positions in the game.

TUCSON – Spring training is baggy pants, a T-shirt and flip-flops. It’s baseball’s version of casual Friday at work. Until about this time. Now the seriousness starts to increase by a few notches. The Rockies have begun making their first roster moves. I will have more on this later. There won’t be any big surprises, just young kids told it’s not their time yet.

And closer Huston Street is throwing a one-inning simulated game at 12:30 p.m. This is an important step as he works toward making his Cactus League debut. I told Street I have planted a chip in his shoulder, so it sends Google alerts to my iPhone. He said he had no problem with it, as long as the computer piece helps him keep the ball down in the zone.

Also, the Cubs are in town. At least they are trying to get here. There’s a rumor circulating that their bus broke down on I-10. Regardless, they will be here, though they might not take the same amount of BP. This could be the Rockies last huge crowd at Hi Corbett Field. The Cubs following is amazing.

A few other notes before today’s lineup:
–Ian Stewart called his experience in Mexico terrific. Most labeled the afternoon as unique. The biggest difference was the endless music. It played non-stop, save for the one split second the ball left the pitcher’s hand. It was a combination of Mariachi, Pearl Jam, Zeppelin, etc.
–Vinny Castilla was welcomed like a dignitary. There were roughly 15 TV stations and several papers covering his press conference. Jorge De La Rosa, who lives in Hermosillo, was also a big deal. But no one is as big as Vinny
–The UNC baseball team, which played the University of Arizona over the weekend, toured Hi Corbett Field, joined by owner Dick Monfort.

MARYVALE — Give the Rockies this. While opponents rarely bring a representative lineup to Tucson, the Rockies consistently show up on the road with quality players. The Rockeis could stand to make a U-turn. They have been outscored 30-7 during their three-game losing streak. A look at the lineups:

TUCSON — Rafael Betancourt pitched off flat ground, throwing smoothly to Aaron Cook from about 60 feet away. Yes, Cook was his catcher (not with gear on, just squatting down). And no Betancourt wasn’t throwing 100 percent. But his mechanics were in order. Betancourt is taking steps forward even as the clock ticks against him. He hopes to throw off the slope of the mound this weekend. A lot depends on how he feels each day after throwing.

The anti-inflammatories did wonders on his shoulder, so he believes he’s on the right track.

The Royals just arrived. The sun is out and it’s 48 degrees. The Rockies are holding an intrasquad game on the back field and getting ready for this game as well. Jay Payton is playing in both.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.